Celebrating the Blues
in the Nation's Capital - MD, DC, VA

The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for those Blues Bands and Solo/Duo Blues Acts ready to perform on the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. Each Affiliate of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and a solo/duo act to represent its organization at the IBC. The DC Blues Society is an affiliate(*) of The Blues Foundation.

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The IBC is judged by blues professionals from across the world who have years of experience in listening to, producing, and creating blues music. The Blues Foundation has established a set of criteria by which all acts are evaluated throughout the five days of the IBC.

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Affiliated organizations are required to stage a regional preliminary IBC competition (The DC Blues Society Battle of the Bands and Solo/Duo Competition), with the winner of that event representing the organization in the International Blues Challenge held annually in Memphis, TN along historic Beale Street. While Affilated Organizations are encouraged to follow The Blues Foundation’s structure and rules during their local challenges, each organization is free to structure its preliminary rounds as it sees fit, as long as a true challenge between multiple acts takes place resulting in a single band and/or solo/duo act being identified.

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In addition to the Battle of the Bands and the Solo/Duo Competition, there are categories for Youth Acts and Self-produced CD.